For Immediate Release
New Study Finds Half Of Aborting Women
Are Having Repeat Abortions
Experts Say Repeat Abortions Are Often
the Result of Trauma, Coercion
Springfield, IL (May 6, 2010) -- New statistics published by the pro-abortion Alan Guttmacher Institute indicate that half of women undergoing abortions have had a previous abortion.
The high rate of repeat abortions poses a risk to women since having a repeat abortion increases the likelihood that a woman will have physical or mental health problems afterward, including a
higher risk of
subsequent preterm birth. Women who have repeat abortions are also more likely
to be living in unstable situations, be divorced, be involved in substance
abuse or be dependent on social services.
Experts say that there are a number of reasons why women might have multiple abortions. One reason is traumatic reenactment, a symptom related to post-traumatic stress disorder, in which a person continually repeats the trauma in an attempt to resolve it.
The problem may also be compounded by the desire of many women to have a "replacement pregnancy" after an abortion, only to find that the problems and pressures that led to abortion in the first place still exist and they once again see no other alternative. If abuse, pressure or force from others is involved it may be very difficult for her to break away from the abusive cycle.
Repeat Abortions As a Result of Coercion
Repeat abortions are also often facilitated by the fact that abortions are frequently performed without any effort to determine why a woman or girl is aborting, even when there is coercion or abuse involved. A study of U.S. women who had abortions found that even though 64 percent are pressured to abort and more than half felt rushed or uncertain about about abortion, 67 percent said they didn't receive any counseling before abortion and 84 percent said they didn't receive enough counseling to make an informed decision.
Further, abortions are usually performed without any attempt to screen women or girls for coercion or for factors, including repeat abortions, that put them at risk for psychological problems afterward.
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Learn more: To learn more about repeat abortions, read an excerpt from the book Forbidden Grief.
For ordering information, visit here.
So Much of Me Died: One Woman's Story of Repeat Abortion
